Flights Almost Back To Normal At Miami’s Airport

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MIAMI (CBS4) – Just about a week after a fire at Miami International’s fuel farm destroyed the pumping system used to bring fuel to the airport, things should soon be back to normal.

On Tuesday airport spokesman Greg Chin said American Airlines, the largest carrier at the terminal, canceled 27 flights because of fuel supply problems; 11 flights were delayed while waiting for fuel. This is a far cry from Monday when a total of 84 flights were canceled because of fuel supply problems. In addition, 69 flights experienced delays because of the same.

Chin said American Air doesn’t plan on any cancellations on Wednesday.

A preliminary investigation into the cause of last Wednesday’s fire found that it may have been sparked by a short-circuit at one of the pumps. Back up pumps were brought in as a temporary measure but a majority of the fuel is being trucked in by tankers.

This week airport workers are installing four high performance pumps which, once up and running, they should put the system back to full capacity.

The fuel comes to the airport via the Everglades Pipeline, which runs in a 35-mile arc west from Port Everglades through Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Cooper City, Pembroke Pines, Miramar and Hialeah before reaching the airport. It transmits about 55,000 barrels of jet fuel each day. Officials said the Everglades Pipeline showed no damage from the fire.